The Best Guided Tours for Exploring Nice

How better to make the most of your time in Nice, than be swept away by the following tours and soak up all the riches that the Côte d’Azur has to offer? Whether its cycling, swimming, walking, eating or drinking your way around Nice, with these experiences you will be able to create fond memories and gain a truly authentic taste of the inimitable French Riviera.

TrèsNice Old Town Walking Tour

By far one of the most beautiful parts of Nice, bursting with rich history and culture, the Old Town is as charming as it is lively.

In this tour, a passionate local guide leads you through the labyrinthine cobbled streets to all the must-see sights. This includes the opportunity to see all the colors, smells, fresh produce and delicious specialities that make up the famous food and flower market of Cours Saleya.

Thanks to the passionate research of the guides who have delved deeply into the local archives, this tour offers much more than the usual guided walks. Aside from the main attractions you will discover hidden treasures you just won’t find anywhere else.

While making your way at a leisurely pace through the winding alleyways, you will learn not only about the weird and wonderful history of Old Town, but also about any current local events. In fact, by the end of the tour you’ll know Vieux Nice like the back of your hand, the best places to wine and dine, and how to avoid any disappointing tourist traps!

All in all, a comprehensive and personalized tour that will help you make the most of your stay in Nice. Groups are no larger than 10 so you can be assured of your guide’s undivided attention. The tour costs €14 (£12) per person and please note booking is required; private and larger group tours will be catered for.

Les Petits Farcis – Nice Street Food Tour

The French have always been proud of their delicious food, and rightly so! Nowhere is this truer than in the Mediterranean with its colorful local cuisine.

Undoubtedly every food lover’s dream, how better to discover the wonders of Nice than with your taste buds?

Les Petits Farcis takes you on a gastronomic adventure to sample the crème de la crème of niçois cuisine. You’ll find chickpea olive oil griddled pancakes and roasted stuffed vegetables (from which Les Petits Farcis takes its name) to name a few items from a long list of delicious specialities.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the sunny city of Nice as well as feast to your heart’s content on high quality local produce. And afterwards if you really feel you couldn’t possibly leave without taking home some of this deliciousness – fear not! Hands-on cooking classes are also available, where participants will learn how to cook classic Niçois dishes with expert Rosa Jackson.

If you want to mix it up, custom versions of this tour with an optional lunch are available on request. For the regular tour, please book in advance; it costs €80 (£69) per person.

Grape Tours – Nice Wine Tours

Feeling thirsty? How better to wash down some of those Niçois delicacies than with a glass of local wine!

Venture further than your average supermarket plonk and uncork the rich flavor of fine regional wines.

These guided tour takes you off the beaten track, out of the city and into the hills surrounding Nice. You will be whisked away to the famous Bellet area (on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) or Côtes de Provence (on Tuesdays and Thursdays). Bellet is a small wine appellation; it is believed that the Phoenicians introduced the vineyards to the area possibly as far back as 2000 BC.

On the tours you will be treated to three different winery tastings, and given the opportunity to soak in the incredible views and beautiful terraced vineyards – a truly unforgettable experience.

The enthusiastic experts, who cater to all levels of interest, lead an unpretentious and light-hearted wine tasting tour to help you learn all about the fascinating process, from grape to glass. To top it all off, a delicious lunch at a typical countryside French bistro is included.

So calling all oenophiles, and those who want to impress at dinner parties – take one of these tours! After all, life is too short to drink bad wine.

Booking is required, private and larger groups are catered for and the tours costs €90–€180 (£78–£156) per person.

+33 (0) 6 17 81 02 07

Crypt Wine Tasting in Bellet | Courtesy of Grape Tours

Trans Côte d’Azur – Sainte-Marguerite Island, Lérins Islands

Unfortunately, in the height of summer, it is not unusual to scramble for a place on the Promenade des Anglais beach; ending up shoulder to sticky shoulder with fellow sunbathers. Ewww.

What you might not know is that, located about half a mile offshore from the star-struck town of Cannes, is the peaceful island of Sainte-Marguerite. Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lérins islands, a beautiful archipelago naturally rich in protected species.

But most importantly there’s no traffic, making this truly a little taste of paradise away from the overrun tourist mainland. There are quiet cafés and restaurants to lounge in and you could find yourself in a private cove, go snorkelling in the crystal clear waters or sunbathe in peace on the sandy beach.

Sainte-Marguerite is also the famed site of the prison fortress Fort Royalwhere the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was held in the 17th Century.

All in all, Sainte-Marguerite is a veritable treasure trove of botanical and historical discoveries which merit a boat trip to.

Although more of an excursion than a guided tour, this opportunity to discover these islands seems too good to not mention.

The Trans Côte d’Azur boat leaves Nice at 9am and has you back for 7pm. Booking is required and it costs €40 (£35) per person. All aboard!

eBike tour – The French Riviera

Want to see the best views of Nice from the surrounding hills? Afraid of hiking/cycling up said hills in the Mediterranean heat? Then the eBike French Riviera tour is the answer to your prayers.

Suited to most people’s fitness levels, this specially designed tour is one of the safest and easiest cycling tours around. It will allow you to make the most of the sweeping panoramic views and fresh air during your stay.

The tour begins in Nice’s charming Port Lympia. Then begins the (electrically assisted) climb into the Mont Boron Park on the outskirts of the city. Littered with ancient wild olive, oak and pine trees, the park is 57 hectares of natural beauty.

At the summit of the park, 600 ft above sea level is the imposing Mont Alban fortress with its fascinating military history and breath-taking views of Nice.

The tour then winds its way down to the medieval coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer; just in time for a dip and a bite to eat on the seafront.

Family friendly and perfect for the more active tourist, the eBikes make short work of the steep climbs. All in all, an excellent way to spend four hours and certainly one of the most ecological means of exploring Nice.